“I got involved in the BTEC Diploma when an adult was at the Detachment talking about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and they mentioned BTEC and how it was worth 4 Standard grades – at once I was definitely interested, it was really useful and gave me confidence not only in myself but at interviews and writing my CV. Standing up addressing a crowd suddenly became a lot easier for me.”
Kayleigh’s father was in the Queens Royal Lancers, and her next door neighbour was an Adult Instructor at Renfrewshire’s Erskine Army Cadet Detachment. With just a wee bit of encouragement she decided to join the cadets at the age of thirteen.
"Having new and completely different experiences and gaining confidence was the real benefit of cadets to me - doing things that you never dreamed you could do, like abseilling and rock climbing. But the thing that sticks most in my mind is those World War ll Battlefield tours when we travelled to the Menin Gate war memorial in Belgium - it was just so moving and emotional and I was so proud to take part."
Kayleigh is a home carer and has always been interested in nursing. She is currently studying Nursing Care at Reid Kerr College. If successful at her HNC (Higher National Certificate) she hopes to go on to do Adult Nursing at Paisley University, before joining the Territorial Army in order to treat the injured on the front line.
With her home carer duties and the fact that she is a Company Sergeant Major visiting other Cadet Detachments, there’s not a lot of time left for Kayleigh’s hobbies.
“Unfortunately I did not push myself enough at school therefore gaining a college placement was remote."
Kayleigh’s First Diploma in Public Services ( Merit Grade) was presented by Guy Clarke Esq. DL., the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire at the ACF Headquarters in Ayr during a reception for school Head teachers.
“With my diploma counting as four Standard Grades, I have gained a place at Reid Kerr College doing General Nursing, something I have always wanted to do.”
Kayleigh Gregory